Investigation statements of Cem Tekinoğlu, advisor to Cemal Enginyurt, revealed

Details regarding the police and prosecution statements of Cem Tekinoğlu, an advisor to Yeni Parti İstanbul MP Cemal Enginyurt, who was arrested as part of an investigation conducted by the Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, have emerged.

Tekinoğlu was detained on charges of "encouraging or facilitating prostitution, acting as an intermediary or providing a venue" and "laundering assets derived from crime," and was subsequently arrested by the criminal judgeship of peace.

The suspect denied the charges brought against him in both his police and prosecution statements.

The MASAK report included in the investigation file stated that money transfers were made from Tekinoğlu's personal accounts and the company accounts he manages to numerous individuals who have criminal records for encouraging prostitution or drug-related offenses.

According to the report, between 2022 and 2026, a total of 120 thousand 820 Turkish Lira was sent from Tekinoğlu's bank accounts in 58 separate transactions to the accounts of young women, including university students, mostly during nighttime hours. It was noted that the transaction descriptions included phrases such as "scholarship," "course fee," "skincare fee," "book fee," and "diploma fee."

DENIED THE CHARGES

In his statement to the police, Tekinoğlu explained the transfers in question as aid and educational support. The suspect stated, "I am generally a charitable person, and when there were requests from students in financial need, I provided them with small amounts of money as scholarships to support their education."

Denying the allegations of drug use and threats against him, Tekinoğlu argued that these claims were fabricated to discredit him. Tekinoğlu declared, "There is not a single complaint regarding the charges of threats and harassment against me. I have never used drugs, nor do I trade them."

For other financial movements reflected in the MASAK report, Tekinoğlu cited reasons such as borrowing and lending money, buying and selling mobile phones, home renovations, car rentals, and food purchases related to his time working at Munzur University, stating that he did not remember some of the high-value transfers and names.

Reiterating the detailed statements he gave to the police during his prosecution interrogation, Tekinoğlu claimed that it was not possible for his accounts to have transactions of such high amounts. Tekinoğlu said, "I think there was a calculation error in this matter or that money transfers I was unaware of were attributed to me as a result of a mix-up."

Arguing that the transfers made during nighttime hours occurred in response to aid requests received while he was awake, Tekinoğlu said he did not know that the people he sent money to had records for drugs or prostitution. It was also reflected in the file that the suspect refused to provide his phone password.

News Source: 12punto